Photographing Newborns with Safety in Mind
So you’re having a baby and want photos and your cousin has a fancy camera and offers to take them. It seems like a great deal but when it comes to photographing newborns there’s more to it than laying them down and taking some photos. When it comes to your precious bundle of joy, my number one priority is safety. This is a very important factor to consider when choosing a newborn photographer. I’m a part of many photographer communities across the web, and when I see beginners ask how they can get started with newborn photography, a flood of comments come in with “newborn safety and education” because it is every professional newborn photographer’s main priority, or at least it should be. Here are some things I look out for during my sessions:
Temperature: The last 9 months, your baby has been relying on you to regulate their body’s temperature, and now their little bodies must learn to do it on their own. The first couple of months, they rely on external means such as swaddles, clothing, and skin-to-skin contact to help keep them warm. In the studio, I like to keep your baby warm and cozy to help get them sleepy, but I still make sure to monitor their temperature to make sure they don’t get too warm. Babies don’t sweat like we do, so if the nape of their neck is sweaty, then you know that they are too warm.
Posing: Have you ever seen some poses such as the froggy and wondered how that baby is posed like that? Professionals use composites, a combination of images photoshopped together, to achieve this. Babies should never be forced into a pose. If a baby is fighting the way I place their hand or feet, then I will move on to something else.
Circulation & Breathing: Swaddling provides the similar comfort of being in the womb and is soothing for newborns, which is why newborn photographers tend to collect so many wraps to photograph your baby in. I’m a big fan of soft, stretchy wraps to make sure your baby has room to breathe and make sure their circulation isn’t cut off. The color of their skin is also a good indicator of circulation, so I make sure that I am monitoring that as well.
Listening to baby: My sessions are baby-led, meaning I listen to what your baby wants, and they run the show. If they’re hungry, then we stop for a feed. If they need a diaper change, then we stop for that. I want your baby to be as comfortable as possible to make sure we get the sweetest pictures!
Ensuring the safety and comfort of newborns during photography sessions is paramount. By keeping a keen eye on the baby’s temperature, circulation, and breathing, and by allowing the session to be baby-led, we can capture beautiful, memorable images without compromising the well-being of your little one. I want you to have a great experience watching your newborn session and feel free to speak up if you notice something or have a question about it! The key to a successful newborn session is not just in creating adorable poses but in ensuring that every aspect prioritizes your baby’s safety and comfort.
